Extension of Comment Period for Proposed Rule:
Proposed Amendment to Rule 102(e) of the Commission's Rules of Practice

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 201

RIN 3235-AH47

Proposed Amendment to Rule 102(e) of the Commission's Rules of Practice

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") is extending from July 20, 1998 to August 20, 1998 the comment period for Release No. 33-7546 (June 12, 1998), 63 FR 33305 (June 18, 1998) proposing an amendment to Rule 102(e) of the Commission's Rules of Practice. Rule 102(e) allows the Commission to censure, suspend or bar persons who appear or practice before it. The release proposed an amendment to clarify the Commission's standard for determining when accountants engage in "improper professional conduct" under Rule 102(e)(1)(ii).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. Comments can be submitted electronically at the following E-mail address: rule-comments@sec.gov. All comment letters should refer to File No. S7-16-98; include this file number on the subject line if E-mail is used. All comments received will be available for public inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 450 5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. Electronically-submitted comment letters will be posted on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael J. Kigin, Associate Chief Accountant, Office of the Chief Accountant, at (202) 942-4400; or David R. Fredrickson, Assistant General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, at (202) 942-0890.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 18, 1998, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed for comment an amendment to Rule 102(e), 17 CFR 201.102(e). The Commission requested that comments be received by July 20, 1998.

In light of the importance of comments on this subject, the Commission believes that extending the comment period is appropriate. The extension will permit interested persons to have additional time to comment on the matters the release addresses. The Commission does not anticipate extending the comment period beyond August 20, 1998. Therefore, the comment period for Release No. 33-7546 is extended to August 20, 1998.